Codex Manesse. ca. 1305-1340

The Codex Manesse, or Große Heidelberger Liederhandschrift is a Liederhandschrift (book of songs/poetry), the single most comprehensive source of Middle High German Minne song poetry, written and illustrated between ca. 1304 when the main part was completed, and ca. 1340 with the addenda. The codex was produced in Zürich, for the Manesse family. The manuscript is “the most beautifully illumined German manuscript in centuries;” it’s 137 miniatures are a series of “portraits” depicting each poet.